National Camp School....Cub Day Camp Director

[VinceC]

 

Hello,

I'm scheduled to attend the National Camp School next weekend. I am going to run the Cub Day Camp for my district this year. I have been trying to find an agenda for the three day course, but no matter how much searching I do, I have no luck, and no one has been able to provide one. Has anyone here attended this course, and if so, what can I expect? Thanks.

VinceC.

[Twocubdad]

You lucky dog!

 

You should expect long days and little sleep. Take something soft to sit on. It's 14-hour days of Cub Scouting. Otherwise, the hour-by-hour agenda isn't important.

 

You should also expect the best Cub Scout training you will ever get, bar none. If you never set foot in a day camp, the Cub program training you get will be incredible. Anyone who has a chance to go to camp school, even if you pay for it yourself, should go.

 

Show up in Cub Scout mode. Be open minded and don't worry about being silly. If you go with your serious, adult professional face on, your not going to enjoy yourself.

 

Everyone complains that there's too much information in too little time. Yep. In addition to the fun stuff, there is a lot of important health and safety stuff, budgeting, policy, precedure, stuff that has to be covered. Take notes, share ideas with your fellow students and re-read everything once you get home.

 

I took the course about 6-8 years ago and have been on staff for the past five years.

 

You're in for a real treat! Let us hear from you when you get back.

[ghermanno]

Vince,

 

I was exactly where you are now in 1991. I showed up at Camp not even knowing what position I had (Day Camp Director (Administrative) or Day Camp Program Director (Program)). found out from instructors and still had a GREAT time.

 

It was the best training I have ever had from Scouting (including WB21). I was Camp Program Director for that District for 2 years and another District for one year. One of the hardest Jobs I ever loved. (planning for unknown number of kids, unwilling parents/volunteers, and ensuring everyone had safe fun....) GREAT.

 

Enjoy. Keep an open mind and remember you are the adult that gets to behave like a 9 year old for a couple of days (ok a few hours per day for a couple of days).

 

YiS,

 

Rick

[Eamonn]

A very long time ago I was on staff for this course.

Back then there were two courses one for Program Director and one for Camp Director.

The Program course was a lot more fun.

 

If you can manage to get a copy of the Standards for the camp before you go? That might be a big help.

Some will seem, maybe a little silly? But it's worth remembering that Day Camps are held all over the country and while some Districts have wonderful facilities others end up in a mud patch in the back of beyond.

A fair amount of time is spent on the budget and insurance, which may or may not apply to your Council.

 

It has been my experience that whenever you bring a large group of Cub Scouter's together you are going to have lots of fun.

You don't say where you are taking the course?

The courses I staffed were at Heritage Scout Reservation. The participants were housed in neat little houses that a local home builder had donated.

The food wasn't bad.

I'm sure that you will have a great time.

Go and have fun!

Ea.

[Arrowhead]

I attended National Camping School for Cub Scout Day Camp administration/director/program director back at the very end of February this year. I absolutely do not like being put in the spot light, and tend to be quite reticent when I feel the least bit uncomfortable. I havent appreciated the songs, skits, and being silly that goes with the Cub Scout program.

After watching a rather serious individual on the program staff lead a song, and really make it come to life, I shed nearly every bit of my anxiety. That weekend was a major transformation for me. I whole-heartedly concur with one of the previous statements that it has been, by far, the best training Ive attended in Scouting. Kudos to the program staff! (I acknowledged my gratitude on the evaluation.)

It is a shame that this training is not more readily available. I didnt want to hold the positions for which I am now certified. I begged my District Executive to sign the application, and I paid my way. As stated here quite often, information about this training is virtually non-existent. All I had to go with was the Day Camp Standards which had found on the internet.

Go. Participate. Enjoy! Theyll provide all the materials.

(This message has been edited by Arrowhead)